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Sheila Leslie (b. November 6, 1955) is a former Democratic member of the Nevada State Senate, representing the Washoe 1 district from 2011 until her resignation on February 15, 2012. She resigned from her seat in order to run for election to District 15 of the State Senate in 2012. In order to run for election in District 15, Leslie moved to a smaller home within that district. However, because Senate rules don't allow a Senator to reside in two districts at once, she was forced to resign from her Washoe 1 seat.

Biography

Leslie earned her B.A. from Sonoma State University in 1977 and her M.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1979. Her professional experience includes working as a specialty courts coordinator and human services consultant, as an executive director of Children's Cabinet, Incorporated, from 1987 to 1993; planning administrator for Community Services Agency in 1986; and executive director for Tahoe Human Services from 1984 to 1985.[1]

Issues

Campaign themes

2012

Education: "Nevada needs to continue to strengthen our educational system at all levels, from pre-Kindergarten through post-graduate work. Our investment in education benefits all of us and is vital to attracting good businesses and improving our quality of life...."

Nevada's Green Economy: "I believe Nevada needs to transition to a Green Economy, featuring an expansion of jobs in the renewable energy sector, assistance to homeowners to retrofit their homes for green energy efficiency, and a system of tax incentives to make Nevada more competitive in attracting the renewable industry...."

Nevada's Natural Resources: "We live in a state with an abundance of natural resources and I am committed to protecting them. Our children deserve a heritage of pristine mountain springs, clean air to breathe, and a sustainable community....:

Human Services: "As a human services professional, I know how important it is to provide a safety net to address the critical needs of our most vulnerable citizens: our children, our elderly, and those living with disabilities...."

Equal Rights: "In 2009, I was instrumental in passing SB 283, perhaps the most historic civil rights legislation in Nevada in half a century, a bill creating domestic partnerships.... In 2011, I sponsored SB 331, and co-sponsored and supported two other equal rights bills (SB 368 and AB 211) to provide protection against discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment for gay, lesbian, and transgender citizens."

Criminal Justice: "Addressing the root causes of crime is a cost effective way to reduce crime and redirect lives to more positive outcomes. While I believe in the value of these programs, I also believe that people must be held accountable for their criminal actions...."

Mining: "The 2011 session featured a renewed focus on the mining industry in Nevada, its benefits and liabilities. I sponsored SB 86, to repeal an archaic law that gave the mining and sugar beet industries the power of eminent domain. The vast majority of the Legislature agreed that these industries should not have the power to take private land, passing the bill on votes of 20 to 1 in the Senate and 41 to 1 in the Assembly...."

Committee assignments

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Leslie served on these committees:

Leslie announced on February 15, 2012 that she would be resigning from her seat in the State Senate in order to run in a more competitive race in the new Senate District 15. Leslie hopes that unseating Republican Greg Brower would allow Democrats to hold onto their majority in the Senate after the 2012 elections. According to the Las Vegas Sun, the competition between Leslie and Brower will be one of three heated races in the Senate. They expect Las Vegas Districts 5 and 6 to be very competitive as well.[7][8]

Scorecards

Nevada Policy Research Institute

The Nevada Policy Research Institute, a Nevada-based conservative-libertarian think tank, releases a "Legislative Report Card" evaluating members of the Nevada State Legislature on "each lawmaker's voting record on legislation impacting the degree of economic freedom and education reform." Bills determined by the Institute to be of greater significance are weighted accordingly. According to the Institute, "a legislator with a score above 50 is considered to be an ally of economic liberty".[13]